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France Announces Withdrawal of Troops from Niger

France is to end its military cooperation with Niger and pull its 1,500 troops out of the African country by the end of the year after a military coup there, French President Emmanuel Macron has said

The move deals a blow to France's counter-terrorism operations in the Sahel and France's influence in the region, Deutsche Welle reported. However, Macron said France would "not be held hostage by the putschists."

Previously, the military government in Niger, which seized control in July 2023, accused France of stationing troops in various West African countries in preparation for "military intervention".

"France continues to deploy its forces in several ECOWAS countries as part of preparations for an aggression against Niger, which it is planning in collaboration with this community organization," regime spokesman Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane reportedly said in a statement broadcast on national television.

Relations with France, Niger's former colonial power, deteriorated quickly when Paris supported overthrown president Mohamed Bazoum in the aftermath of the July coup, Jerry Chifamba wrote for AllAfrica.

InFocus

Militaires nigériens. RFI/ Nicolas Champeaux

Nigerien soldiers (file photo).

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